1st
Lieutenant William Edward Copeland, U.S. Army [April 25, 1913 -
October 24, 1944] was born to Jack Erastus Copeland [April 9, 1891 -
May 29, 1970] and Nettie Irene (Jones) Copeland [September 9, 1894 -
January 13, 1981] at San Jacinto County, Texas. He married Miss Mary
E. Zipprian of Matagorda, Texas and they had two children, William
Edward Jr. born in Freeport, TX and Anna Belle. On November 25,
1940 at Huntsville, Texas he joined the U.S. Army from the National
Guard. At the time of his death he was attached to the 17th
Infantry Brigade, 7th Infantry “Hourglass or Bayonet”
Division. In 1943 the Division was trained in amphibious warfare and
later participated in the liberation of the Aleutian Islands of Attu
and Kiska. It was on the island of Attu 1st Lieutenant
Copeland was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for
extraordinary heroism on May 24, 1943. On January 31, 1944 the
Division landed on islands in the Kwajalein Atoll in conjunction
with the 4th Marine Division, and in a week of heavy
fighting, wrested them from the Japanese. Elements took part in the
capture of Engebi in the Eniwetok Atoll, February 18, 1944. The
Division then moved to Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, remaining there
until mid-September when it sailed to join the assault on the
Philippines. On October 20, 1944, the Division made an assault
landing at Dulag, Leyte, and after heavy fighting secured airstrips
at Dulag and San Pablo. On October 24, 1944 the 17th
Infantry Brigade was engaged with other units in the capture of the
Buri airstrip near Burauen, during the battle 1st Lt.
Copeland was Killed in Action. He received the Silver Star Medal
for his heroism during the taking of the airstrip. He was first
interred at the U.S. Armed Forces Cemetery, Leyte #1, Philippine
Islands. After his family requested his remains be repatriated to
the United States c.1948/49, he was returned home and buried at
Center Hill Cemetery, Oakhurst, San Jacinto, County, Texas. While
he was overseas his wife Mary and the children were living with her
Mother, Minnie Belle Zipprian, at Matagorda, Texas. As a result of
her living in Matagorda, the War Department erroneously classified 1st
Lt. Copeland as a Matagorda County casualty, when he should have
been classified as a San Jacinto County casualty. We are proud to
honor his service and heroic sacrifice on our county war memorial.

The following letter from the War Department has been received
by Mrs. Mary E. Copeland of Matagorda, telling of the posthumous
award of the Silver Star for gallantry while serving as first
lieutenant in the Philippines.

Lt. Copeland is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Copeland of
Huntsville. He entered the service Nov. 225[sic], 1940, from the
National Guard and served in the Aleutians, Hawaii, the Marshall
Islands and met his death October 24, 1944. He held the Purple
Heart.

Mrs. Copeland and their two children Anna Belle and William,
Jr., make their home in Matagorda.

The communication reads:

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS“For extraordinary
heroism, in action at [Attu, Alutian Islands] May 24, 1943. Lieutenant Copeland’s
platoon was stopped and pinned to the ground by heavy enemy machine
gun and rifle fire as it attacked up a precipitous and hazardous
slope on [Attu]. Lieutenant Copeland led a small group of his men
to a position where they could place fire upon the enemy. He then
crawled forward, alone, under withering enemy machine gun and rifle
fire to within grenade range of the enemy position, from which he
killed and drove the enemy out with grenades. This daring action
permitted Lieutenant Copeland’s platoon to advance to its objective.
His determined and aggressive leadership contributed greatly toward
the ultimate reduction of the enemy and capture of [Attu].”

SILVER STAR “For gallantry in action near
[Burauen, Leyte, Philippine Islands], at
[Buri airstrip] , on 24 October 1944. When the motorized patrol which he was
leading encountered a [Japanese] soldier, Lieutenant Copeland promptly
opened fire and killed him. He dismounted, moved forward, located an
enemy strongpoint, and despite heavy fire from this position, moved
to his vehicle and radioed the location to his Battalion Commander,
thus enabling the main body to advance without danger of a surprise
attack. Upon completion of this mission, and without waiting for
reinforcements, he initiated a flanking attack against the enemy
position. While leading his men in this heroic attack, Lieutenant
Copeland was mortally wounded by enemy fire. His courageous and
self-sacrificing devotion to duty so inspired his men that they held
their position against a superior enemy force until
reinforced.”

The Daily Tribune, July 31, 1945

NOTE: The items inside brackets
were added for this page. The original newspaper article had those
items removed by the censors.